Battery coupling method and battery coupling device

Abstract

A battery coupling method is provided for coupling a support member to a battery cell for supporting the battery cell provided with a group of electrodes. The battery coupling method includes: passing a protrusion part formed on the support member through a hole formed in the battery cell; pressing the support member using a pressing unit that approaches the support member from a side where a heating unit is positioned; heating a tip end of the protrusion part using the heating unit to form a heat-deformed part of a size which prevents extraction of the protrusion part from the hole; separating the heating unit from the heat-deformed part after the pressing and heating of the tip end of the protrusion part; and separating-the pressing unit from the support member after the pressing and heating of the tip end of the protrusion part.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A battery coupling method for coupling a support member to a battery cell for supporting the battery cell provided with a group of electrodes, the battery coupling method comprising:
 passing a protrusion part formed on the support member through a hole formed in the battery cell; 
 moving a support beam supporting a pressing piece and a heating unit toward the support member until the pressing piece contacts the support member, the heating unit being arranged and configured to move toward the protrusion part and the pressing piece being arranged and configured to move toward a portion of the support member other than the protrusion part; 
 moving the support beam further toward the support member such that the pressing piece presses the support member while the heating unit remains separated from the protrusion part; 
 moving the support beam further toward the support member such that the heating unit contacts a tip end of the protrusion part; 
 heating the tip end of the protrusion part using the heating unit such that at least a portion of the tip end of the protrusion part that protrudes from the hole forms a heat-deformed part of a size which prevents extraction of the protrusion part from the hole; 
 moving the support from the support member such that the heating unit separates from the heat-deformed part while the pressing piece presses the support member after the pressing and heating of the tip end of the protrusion part; and 
 moving the support beam further away from the support member such that the pressing piece separates from the support member after the heating unit has separated from the heat-deformed part. 
 
     
     
       2. The battery coupling method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the pressing of the support member and the heating of the tip end of the protrusion part are performed by cooperatively using a single pressurizing mechanism to operate the heating unit and the pressing piece. 
 
     
     
       3. The battery coupling method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein
 the support member is configured to be longer in a longitudinal direction than in a widthwise direction, the widthwise direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and 
 the pressing of the support member includes pressing the support member with a first pressing part of the pressing piece that presses the support member at a position closer to a central part of the support member along the longitudinal direction than the heat-deformed part of the support member, and pressing the support member with a second pressing part of the pressing piece that extends from the first pressing part to a part of the support member positioned outwardly away from the central part with respect to the heat-deformed part along the longitudinal direction of the support member. 
 
     
     
       4. The battery coupling method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the support member is configured to be longer in a longitudinal direction than in a widthwise direction, the widthwise direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and 
 the pressing of the support member includes pressing the support member with a first pressing part of the pressing piece that presses the support member at a position closer to a central part of the support member along the longitudinal direction than the heat-deformed part of the support member, and pressing the support member with a second pressing part of the pressing piece that extends from the first pressing part to a part of the support member positioned outwardly away from the central part with respect to the heat-deformed part along the longitudinal direction of the support member. 
 
     
     
       5. The battery coupling method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein
 the pressing of the support member further includes pressing of the support member with a third pressing part of the pressing piece that extends outward from the second pressing part in the widthwise direction of the support member so as to pass by the heat-deformed part and reach a position beyond an outermost edge of the heat-formed part in the widthwise direction.